Table



A. TRACY. FOLDING TABLE.

No. 28,921. Patented June 26, 1860.

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tion, is a camp table.

UNITED STATES FFIC.

ALBERT TRACY, OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

FOLDING FURNITURE.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT TRACY, of the U. S. Army, have invented a new and useful improvement in the method of constructing articles of furniture, such as tables, cots, stools, chairs, surgeons operating-tables, &c., especially when they are to be used in camp or upon field service, the following being a full and clear description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a table of my construction, ready for use; Fig. 2 an end View of the same when folded together; Fig. 3 an end View of the table when in process of folding; Fig. at a back or plan view of the table when folded; Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are designed to show modifications of the same principle of construction.

To enable those acquainted with the art, to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the construction thereof.

The example which I have chosen where by to illustrate the principle of my inven- It has never been considered practicable to supply troops when in active service, with such articles of furniture as tables, stools, chairs or cots, for the reason that such are soon destroyed, or rendered useless by the rough usage to which they necessarily become exposed. Again, the cost and difficulty of transportation have been urged as insuperable objections. any attempts have been made to overcome the difficulties named, .by constructing articlesfor camp use, in such forms as would permit them to be taken apart upon the breaking up of encampments, to be packed away in small compass, or to be folded together in a manner convenient for transportation. But no methods heretofore devised have seemed to meet the wants of field service in the important qualities of lightness, simplicity of construction, compactness and in the comparatively small number of parts.

The table which I have chosen as an example or illustration of my invention, con-' ing on the legs. The outer and upper ends of the legs F are rounded as shown, and the straps J of the hinge are made to conform thereto. The advantages gained thereby are, first, that the weight placed upon the table is brought upon the legs in a direction nearly parallel with the line of their greatest strength, and, second, that thereby no rough or angular corners are presented.

At or near the center of the width of the under side of the table-top A, is attached a plate L, to which is connected by an ordinary lip or other convenient joint, a metallic strap or arm C, which is slotted at O, and which is free to move about its pin P as a center. There is one of these straps or arms 0, to each leg G. There may be more or less than two in all. The legs G are each placed on the inner sides of the legs F, and are secured to each by wooden tie M, (see Fig. 4,) the ends of which are let into the legs G by a mortise and tenon joint. A metallic rod D, passes through the legs F and G and the tie M. This rod is round at the part which passes through the legs G and tie M, so that they may freely revolve upon it. But it is made square, and fitted into a square mortise in the legs F, so that it shall move only with those legs. The legs F are secured to the rod by means of head and nuts as shown in Fig. 4E, and will not have the tendency to work loose, for the reason that the rod D on which the head and nuts are screwed, and the legs F against which their inner faces rest, move always together. This is an obviously important feature in the service for which this table is designed. Other fastenings however, may be used instead, such as a pin passing through a slot in the ends of the rod, or the riveting or keying of the rod in the ordinary manner. The outer and upper ends of the legs G, and the straps K of the hinges, are formed in the same manner as the legs F, and straps J and for the same reason. A metallic rod B, connects the upper ends of the legs G, and is firmly secured in the rings of the straps K. This rod B plays freely in the slot 0 of the strap or arm C. The table-top A is made a little less in width than the distance between the curves of the upper ends of the legs F and G, and its length is just equal to the distance between the end faces of the legs F. The advantage thereby gained is, that there are no jutting points exposed for injury, or to render the table liable to be upset ;but whether folded or expanded it is in all directions protected by its frame. The top of the table may, however, be made of greater extent-broader or longer, or both.

lVhen it is desired to fold the table for removal or to be packed away, the top A is raised, thus allowing the rod B freedom to move along the slot 0 in the strap or arm C until it has reached the point 1. When it has reached this point (1) it is evident that a continuance of its motion will cause the strap or arm C to turn upon its pivot, moving with the rod B toward the left hand or opposite side of the table, the rod B beginning to travel back again in the slot toward point 2, which it will have reached at or about the time when the strap or arm C and legs G are in planes at, or nearly at right angles to each other. The top is then folded down upon the legs F and G so as to rest upon them, and upon the tie M, to which it may be secured by a button E, or by any other fastening.

The proportions of the parts of the table may be made to suit the service for which itis more immediately designed. For camp use in the army, I have made them of such as to allow the table to be used as an extension to the tail board of a transport wagon.

The modification shown in Fig. 5, represents a slotted strap C, which is firmly secured to the under side of the table-top A along its entire width or length, so as not to swing away therefrom. The legs F and G are constructed as in Fig. 1, the rod B sliding to and fro in the slot 0, as the table is folded or opened.

Fig. 6 shows a'flexible instead of a metallic strap, and Fig. 7 shows a strap fixed on the under side of the table-top, having a slot extending between the points .9 s, in which the stirrup-shaped rod t, which is hinged to the upper part of leg G, rides backward and forward, as the table is opened or folded.

If found necessary the several pairs of legs may be braced and strengthened by additional ties. A slot may also be cut in the upper part of legs G (shown in Fig. 1) in which a bolt or pivot may retain the slotted end of the metallic arm 0, allowing it to play freely, in place or remaining as at present, wholly within the inner faces of legs G (see also Fig. 4:.)

Among the advantages which belong to this method of constructing articles of furniture, are the following: The article is in all cases complete in itself, and none of its parts are to be taken away or added in order either to fold it or to erect it for use; again, the article when folded, is in the smallest compass in which the same quantity of material could be packed, even if the parts were not connected to each other; again, the principle of construction is such, that the strain upon the bearing parts is not received transversely, but in lines parallel, or nearly so, with those in which are found their greatest capacity for resistance; again, the article when folded, ready for transportation, is so compact as to be able to endure without injury the rough usage and casualties of field service.

Either pair of legs may be connected with the strap or arm C, the outer pair, by dispensing with the rod B, and substituting therefor a stirrup or its equivalent.

l/Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In the construction of articles of furniture, the combination of the swinging straps or arms 0, constructed as described, with either pair of legs, or their equivalents, substantially as above set forth.

2. The fixed strap or arm C, constructed as described, and connected and operating with the legs substantially as set forth.

n1 witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, A. D. 1860.

ALBERT TRACY.

Witnesses:

ANDVV. J. CLARK, SAML. B. PARRIS. 

